11 Fantasy Takeaways From Week 13: Lights, Camera, Newton

Scott Engel

8:58 pm, December 3rd, 2012

The Fantasy playoffs are now here, and every move you make from here on will be magnified more than ever. So it’s best to be armed with the most in-depth insights possible. Here’s 11 nuggets you simply have to consider as you move into the Fantasy postseason.

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1.1. Dez Bryant Is Elite In recent weeks, Bryant has seriously started to realize his massive potential and can help carry you to a Fantasy championship this year. Bryant has six TDs in his past four games and is consistently nearing the 100-yard mark. There is no way you bench him at all from this point forward.

2.2. Cam Newton Is A Fantasy Superstar Again Newton led all quarterbacks in Fantasy points in Week 13. Maybe because he is playing with no pressure because the Panthers are out of it, but Newton is a very dangerous hybrid QB again, and is passing much better than he did early in the season.

3.3. Larry Fitzgerald Is Giving Fantasy Players An Itchy Waiver Finger. Fitzgerald caught only one pass for 23 yards in what may have been the ugliest game of the year between the Cardinals and Jets. You may consider cutting Fitzgerald, but don’t do it. If Kevin Kolb can somehow return during your Fantasy playoffs, you can at least start Fitzgerald again as a WR3.

4.4. We Remind You That Head Coaches Are Liars The Raiders indicated that Darren McFadden would play, and deactivated him on game day. The Cowboys leaked out that DeMarco Murray would be limited, and he carried over 20 times. Head coaches and team staff are not going to tell public truths, because they want to keep their opponents guessing. So be prepared for weekly surprises.

5.5. You Have To Start T.Y. Hilton Andrew Luck’s stellar rookie season continues, with him developing a great affinity for another first-year player. T.Y. Hilton caught six passes for 100 yards, and continues to be a strong playmaker on the rise for the Colts. Hilton is a fine WR3 start in your Fantasy playoffs.

6.6. BenJarvus Green-Ellis Is Becoming Reliable Green-Ellis rushed for over 100 yards for the third consecutive week on Sunday. The Bengals passing game has renewed life this season, and more running lanes are opening up for BGE as a result. He’s a very strong Fantasy RB2 as we head into your playoffs.

8.8. Brandon Myers Is A Must-Start In a season where so many prominent tight ends have disappointed, Myers has emerged to become a lineup lock. He had a career game on Sunday, catching 14 passes for 130 yards. Myers has caught at least five passes in five consecutive games.

9.9. Fred Jackson Will Remain Relevant As much as C.J. Spiller’s owners want to see him go away, Fred Jackson will continue to be a significant part of the Buffalo offense. Jackson carried 25 times for 109 yards against the Jaguars when there was actually pregame talk that Spiller might see most of the carries. Stop wishing for Spiller to get more work, it’s just not going to happen this season. Jackson, meanwhile, remains a strong flex start.

10.10. James Starks Is A Tease The Green Bay running back scored for the first time on the ground this season, and finished with 66 rushing yards against the Vikings. It only took Starks until Week 13 to find the end zone. Don’t be reactionary and start considering him for your lineup. Green Bay running backs are more useless than Jets quarterbacks.

11.11. Bryce Brown Has Arrived Proving his Week 12 outburst was no fluke, Eagles RB Bryce Brown nearly rushed for 170 yards again. There’s no reason for the Eagles to rush LeSean McCoy back from a concussion, so it’s conceivable Brown could carry your team deep into the Fantasy playoffs.

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